1. Colours
2. Cultural diversity
3. Families
4. Perception
5. Race awareness
6. Racism
7. Skin colour

This concise story begins with a mixed race family having dinner when dad quizzes his son Sam about what colour each of them is. As Sam variously labels them black, white, brown, pink and blue (!), there is a twist in the tale. For it is then that his dad realises that Sam isn’t describing their skin colour, at all, but their clothes!

The idea explored is that children don’t notice skin colour, for they focus on the person, first and foremost. This heart-warming and very insightful tale is based on a real incident which occurred in the family of the author and her Aboriginal husband and their children. Colloquialisms such as ‘black fella’ contribute to the authenticity of this telling. The engaging repeated question ‘What colour is...?’ is typical of such a cumulative tale which results in a satisfying resolution.

Artist, Julie Neilson-Kelly, alternates black and white sketches with colour portraits of this loving family, while her depiction of their body language conveys their closeness. Her final image shows them all laughing together. They are each so different and yet they are also all so alike! This is a simple but very effective story about diversity and difference ... and about colours!

1. The Conversation Aug 2016 'Why we should talk to children about race' https://theconversation.com/why-we-should-talk-to-children-about-race-59615
2. The Guardian Dec 2007 'Children need to know that skin colour is not a taboo subject' https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/dec/04/comment.race
3. ABC Kimberly Aug 2018 'Two colours, one family: What life is like when your child looks quite different to you' https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-18/aboriginal-parents-white-children-family-different-skin-colours/10107600
4. Hachette Australia Teacher Notes by Leonie Jordan for 'Colouroos' by Anna McGregor similar themes to 'Beautiful Colours' https://www.hachette.com.au/content/resources/9780734418838-teachers-resources.pdf
5. Activities that Promote Racial and Cultural Awareness https://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/read_activities.html
6. The Atlanic Oct 2018 "How to talk to Kids about Race' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNEKbVq_ou4